From Superwoman to Slug: A Freelance Work Cycle

Posted by Jennifer Mattern in Business & Marketing, Jennifer Mattern

As a freelancer I control my work schedule and my productivity. And without someone looking over my shoulder and keeping me on task that productivity level can vary drastically. There are two extremes that I tend to alternate between. I like to call them my “superwoman” and “slug” phases.

The Superwoman

When I’m in “superwoman mode” I feel like I can do anything. No. I feel like I can do everything. These are the days when I can launch two new websites in the course of a few hours. I can write 5000 words in my book without needing a break. I can clean my office and my inbox in a matter of minutes (no easy task, I assure you). I can hammer out three days’ worth of client work in one to get ahead on my schedule. I can sit down and write a short e-book and have it ready for release the next day.

I love superwoman mode. As much as I wish every day could be like that, I also understand that it’s exhausting. It wouldn’t be possible to run at full speed day in and day out without eventually crashing. And that’s what happens sometimes.

Slug Mode

“Slug mode” is the exact opposite. Sometimes it’s a result of burnout after a few days working at superwoman speed. Sometimes slug mode sets in because I’m not feeling well. Sometimes I just feel discouraged about a project or client or site I’m working on.

These are the days when I can work a double shift and still feel like nothing got done. I can’t focus. I want to do absolutely anything other than what I’m doing, but at the same time there’s nothing else I really want to do. I’m in a funk. I’ll still sit there until the client work is completed, but the longer it takes me to focus and get the job done, the more I hate being there and thinking about the project.

Finding Balance

Sure, it would be nice if I could run at full speed every work day. But that’s unlikely. Instead it’s about finding balance — easing out of those energy bursts rather than doing a complete 180. I might not get everything on every to-do list finished during the week, but I’ll get the important things done. I overload them intentionally so I’m constantly pushing myself to do better and work more productively (getting more done without having to invest more time).

Most days I think I find this balance. Client work is finished. I can write 2000-3000 words in a book when I’m working on a draft. I can write several posts for my own blogs. By all means there’s more I’d like to do. I’d like to be able to spend more time reading and commenting on other blogs for example. But some days I can do that, and some days I can’t. And I have to be okay with that.

The same goes for you. You don’t have to do everything. You don’t have to be everything to everybody in business. It’s about prioritizing and making the most out of the time you can afford to put in. How do you find your balance? Do you try to push yourself into superwoman mode so often that you burn out? How often do you feel discouraged and slip into a more unambitious phase? How do you deal with it when that happens? Feel free to share your tips and stories in the comments below.